How much will Americans spend on Fourth of July food this year?

(NewsNation) — The average American is expected to spend a record $94.41 on food this Fourth of July as millions prepare to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.

While only slightly higher than last year, the figure is more than $20 above its pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to the National Retail Federation.

All told, Americans are expected to spend $9.4 billion on food alone this Fourth of July, up from $8.9 billion in last year’s survey.

But higher food costs aren’t stopping the party. Some 87% of consumers plan to celebrate Independence Day, a share that has remained remarkably stable in the NRF’s survey since 2009, except during the pandemic.

Most (62%) plan to celebrate with a cookout, while 44% intend to watch fireworks or attend a community celebration.

Grocery shoppers will find a mix of higher and lower prices on Fourth of July staples this year.

What costs more (and less) this Fourth of July?

Ten of the 12 Independence Day staples tracked by the American Farm Bureau Federation cost more than they did a year ago.

The retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef rose 5.5% to $14.06 as ranchers continue rebuilding their herds after years of severe drought, according to the AFBF.

Pork and beans saw the largest increase, rising 13.8%, while strawberries climbed 12.4% after a damaging frost in Florida, along with higher labor, fuel and transportation costs, the report noted.

The two bright spots in the survey were potato salad and chips, both of which cost less than they did a year ago. The AFBF attributed the declines to lower egg prices and a healthy potato harvest.

This year’s Fourth of July cookout for 10 people is expected to cost about $7.38 per person, the highest since the AFBF began tracking those costs in 2016. Even so, the overall cost has closely tracked broader inflation in recent years.

AFBF 2026 cookout prices versus last year

2 pounds of ground beef, $14.06 (+5.5%)

2 pounds of chicken breasts, $8.06 (+3.5%)

3 pounds of pork chops, $14.79 (+4.7%)

1 pound of cheese, $3.60 (+1.7%)

1 package of hamburger buns, $2.53 (+7.7%)

2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $2.91 (-17.8%)

32 ounces of pork and beans, $3.06 (+13.8%)

16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.76 (-0.8%)

13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $4.25 (+6.3%)

½ gallon of ice cream, $5.99 (+5.3%)

2 pints of strawberries, $5.27 (+12.4%)